Wednesday August 31,2016

Hi everyone,

During Language class this morning the students split into partners and wrote as many adjectives as they could in five minutes. Afterwards we discussed the different ways that adjectives could be classified and came up with several groups to put the words into. By the end, we had a list of adjectives for how something feels, how something sounds/smells/tastes, how many of something, how something looks etc. Way to go!

I am happy to announce that our IXL membership is up and running! Today I showed students how to sign in and navigate the site and we had a few minutes to test it out at the end of the period. Tonight:
Everyone please sign on and make sure you can get into the website easily. The website address is https://www.ixl.com/. I suggest you save this in your bookmarks so its quick and easy for you to get to it each time. Go to Fourth Grade Skills, then scroll down to Money. The two skills I would like you to practice tonight are M.3 Round Money Amounts (https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4/round-money-amounts) and M.6 Making Change (https://www.ixl.com/math/grade-4/making-change). Please spend 10 minutes practicing each skill.

During Social Studies we got arranged into our discussion circle, which the kids have grown to love, and we all discussed immigrants' contributions to America. Afterwards, students imagined themselves as immigrants and they wrote letters to their family members in Taiwan describing the experience at Ellis/Angel Island and what it was like living in tenements. I encouraged them to use as many awesome adjectives as possible from the list we created this morning.

Huan's Letter:

Dear Ms.Fisher, 

     I am sitting in my tenement with my family writing you this letter. I got out of the boat, it smells like sour garbage. I feel so hungry because there is only really smelly food on the boat. I was disgusted by the food! Then I sprinted to get off the boat. I walked very slowly because it was really crowded. I finally got to the station. The doctor was really polite to me. I was checked for any weapons then I was checked again to make sure I really had no weapons. Then there were guards that looked really strong. Last, I finally passed. Then I saw my family. I was really happy!

                                                                                                From, Huan

Yoko's Letter:

Dear Miss Fisher, 

     I'm in the tenement, this is the tenth day I went in. You can imagine how the sea was, it was dirty, polluted, and smelly. If you were hungry, there is only food and rice. When I got there, I was excited, but it wasn't what I thought it should be. You needed to have a health check, climb stairs, and ask about your safety history. And the most terrible thing is that you have to wait about 7 hours. When you get into America you only can stay in a tenement. You have a disgusting room, and the walls are sticky and slimy. You can't have delicious food, you only can have sour, salty, and burnt food. Well of course it was loud! And it's not colofrul or bright and there aren't a few people, there are a lot of people living in one tenement. 

                                                                                                   From, Yoko

Nathan's Letter:

Dear Ms. Fisher, 

    I am on the painful, stinky boat. It is crowded and there is a huge population. The food on the boat is very, very slimy and hair. Finally, I am at the Angel Island. The doctor is handsome. He is checing me and I am very nervous. The line is infinite and one guy has a disease and he is kicked out of the line, Finally, I am at the tenement. The tenement is the worst place I have ever seen because of the cockroaches and the mice. The bathroom's toilet is very slimy and rough and sticky. It was a very, very rough time for immigrants. I am very sorry and depressed for them. 
                                                                                
                                                                           Love, Nathan


Fiona's Letter:

Dear Miss Fisher, 
                      
Now I'm sitting in the tenement in America. The tenement smells stinky. The bathroom is disgusting and dirty, because everyone in the tenement need to share one toilet. The food is salty and  it smells burnt. I work in a room with no windows, so the room has less fresh air. The ceiling is dripping slimy water on my head! But even if the tenement is awful, I still got into America. I will work hard to earn much more money. I will write many letters to you Miss Fisher! 

                                                                              Love, Fiona

Grace's Letter:

Dear Miss Fisher, 

                  I am sitting in Ellis Island writing a letter to you. There are numerous people in Ellis Island. Ellis island smells very stinky. Ellis Island isn't very fancy. I wait a long time for the examination. The people are disgusting, dirty, and noisy. I pass the examination! I am glad that I am in America. When I go to the tenement it is loud and smells burnt. I go around the city and it was awesome! I am delighted that I am in America. I don't care if the tenement smells bitter. I worry about my family members. I wish you could come too!

                                                                               Love, Grace


                                                                                                                                                           

Teacher Ayrton =)

HOMEWORK:

READING:

*Lesson 3 Vocab test Friday September 2

MATH:

*Workbook page 10 corrections

*IXL M.3 Round Money Amounts and M.6 Round Money Amounts (10 minutes each)

*Chapter 2 Test on Monday September 5 (The study guide is up: http://grade4disk.blogspot.tw/2016/08/chapter-2-compare-order-and-round-whole.html)

SOCIAL STUDIES:

*Chapter 11 Test Friday September 2

Chapter 2 Compare, Order, and Round Whole Numbers and Money Study Guide

Unit 1 Chapter 2 Compare, Order, and Round Whole Numbers and Money

Lesson 2.1       I can compare numbers up to nine digits ex. 323,332,223 <  323, 332, 233

Vocabulary: compare    

Lesson 2.2       I can order numbers up to nine digits (from least to greatest, or greatest to least)    

Lesson 2.3       I can count and compare amounts of money  

Lesson 2.4       I can make change from money     

Lesson 2.5       I can round numbers and money amounts

Vocabulary: estimate, rounding

Lesson 2.6       I can use a bar graph to compare data.

Vocabulary: bar graph

Tuesday August 30, 2016

Good afternoon everyone,

We started our morning off with two rounds of Daily 2. Students did an incredible job of getting to work quickly and staying on task for the duration of each station. I was very impressed, way to go grade 4's!

In our Grammar class we learned about run on sentences, fragments of sentences, and finally good, complete sentences.

During Science we began our second unit and discussed the engineering design process. I am looking forward to doing a fun hands on activity with the students later this week!

In Math we learned how to round numbers and money amounts. They caught on quickly so we played a fun learning competition!

In Social Studies we discussed immigration, focusing on the reason people left their home countries in the first place, and then of the difficulties they faced once arriving into America.

Daily 2 Superstars!

HOMEWORK:

READING:

*Lesson 3 vocabulary test on Friday September 2

GRAMMAR:

*English Workbook page 15-16

SOCIAL STUDIES:

*Chapter 11 Lesson 1-3 test has been changed to FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 2

*Reasons for immigration paper (Use page 406 to help you)

MATH:

*Workbook page 10

*Chapter 2 Test Monday September 5 (Study guide will be posted tomorrow)

***The word of the day is IMMIGRATION!***

Monday August 29, 2016

Good afternoon everyone,

This morning during Reading class we continued to learn about the different types of characters in literature. Using our Journeys story we classified each of the story's characters by type and students had to write a justification for each. In Math class we learned how to make change. During Science they wrote their Unit 1 test.

Hope everyone enjoys the rainy evening at home!

HOMEWORK:

READING:

*Lesson 3 vocab test on Friday September 2

LANGUAGE:

*Subject and Predicate practice

SOCIAL STUDIES:

*Chapter 11 Lessons 1-3 test on Wednesday August 31

MATH:

*Workbook page 9 and corrections on page 8

SCIENCE:

*Please do test corrections and have a parent sign

Important Reminder: Please bring in IXL money. Once I have it all I will buy the membership. Thank you!

***The word of the day is IXL!***

Friday August 26, 2016

Happy Friday everyone!

This morning in Language students had their second spelling and definition quiz. Overall they did very well, keep up the good work! During Math we started to learn about how to count, compare, and order money. This was a challenging lesson and I encourage students not to rush through their homework this weekend. It will be best if you can go slowly and make sure you understand each step. During Social Studies we began our third lesson about immigration. We broke down the idea of costs and benefits of a situation and watched a short video on immigration in America. We will continue this on Tuesday. During last period we read aloud our new Journeys story and students wrote a summary of the plot.

In other news the school had a fire drill today and most students were very respectful and responsible throughout. Good job!

HOMEWORK:

SOCIAL STUDIES:

* Chapter 11 Social Studies test will be on Wednesday August 31 (Lesson 1-3) 

SPELLING:
*Spelling and definition quiz on Friday September 2 from Journeys Lesson 3 vocabulary
* Correct this week's spelling test


MATH:
*Workbook page 8


SCIENCE:
*Unit 1 test Monday August 29

The word of the day is WEEKEND!

Thursday August 25, 2016

Good afternoon all, 

This morning during Reading class I gave students a pop quiz to check their understanding of setting and characters. They all did wonderfully! We will continue learning about Types of Characters in our next Reading class. During Math we reviewed how to compare numbers and then were able to apply those same principles to ordering numbers. In Science I gave students their username and password logins for the Science Fusion site and showed them how to access it. Tonight they will watch the inquiry lesson 6 online. Afterwards we had a great time playing a review game for Monday's Unit 1 test. 

Reila, Marianne, and Katie did a superb job on using vivid verbs in their writing for last night's homework! Keep up the creative work!

HOMEWORK:

READING:

• Study vocabulary words and definitions for quiz tomorrow

• Main Idea Set 1 #5

School children in Washington State are raising salmon! The Department of Fish and Wildlife gives each participating classroom 500 salmon eggs. When the eggs hatch, the children care for the baby salmon and learn about their life cycle. When the salmon are big enough, the class goes on a field trip to release the salmon into a stream or river. 

What is the main idea of this paragraph? Remember the lesson we had this week about how to find the main idea of a paragraph. Make sure that your answer is complete. This should be done in your Work on Writing Notebooks. Please don't forget the date and title. 

SCIENCE:

• Unit 1 test Monday August 29 STUDY STUDY STUDY!

• Watch lesson 6 online https://www-k6.thinkcentral.com/ePC/start.do?orgID=88636067

Go to the website.

Enter your username and password.

Click on My Library 

Click on Science

Go to Science Fusion Student Access English Grade 4

Click on Unit 1 Lesson 6 Digital Lesson

***The word of the day is KATIE!***

Chapter 11 Study Guide

Chapter 11 Industry and Immigration Study Guide

Lesson 1 Inventors and Inventions

• Communicate that Americans developed new inventions that changed life in the United States and around the world.

• Analyze and explain what the sentence “Inventions shrink distances” means with examples to support your answer.

• Be familiar with Edison, Bell, the Wright Brothers, and Morse inventions and the effect they had on life and people.

Vocabulary: consumer, telegraph, investor, profit

Lesson 2 The Impact of Big Business

• Communicate how the growth of big business had a great impact on life in America.

• Recognize the cause and effect of how new inventions lead to urbanization.

• Compare and contrast the costs and benefits of cities with important industries.

Vocabulary: urbanization, entrepreneur, corporation, stock, assembly line, refinery, monopoly

Lesson 3 Immigration

• Communicate that some of the costs and benefits of being an immigrant.

• Conclude why some of the new immigrants might not try to fit in in America.

• Discuss how America’s growth may have benefited people from other countries.

•         Analyze why immigrants left their home countries and what they might have been hoping           to find in America

•        Discuss why people may have wanted immigration to decrease

Vocabulary: diversity, prejudice, oppression, tenement, labor union, melting pot

Wednesday August 24, 2016

Happy Wednesday everyone!

This morning during Language class I showed students photos of action verbs and after we identified the regular, boring verb for the photo, we brainstormed more exciting words to use instead. They had a lot of fun being creative! Afterwards I gave them a handout with all of the action verb photos and a list of vivid verbs to accompany them. Their homework tonight will be to put these exciting words to use in their writing! I can barely wait to read what they come up with. =)  During Science class we talked about different types of models that scientists use. In Social Studies we reviewed what we learned yesterday and continued learning about the effect of big businesses on Americans and the world.

Social Studies discussion circle. 

HOMEWORK:

SPELLING:

1. Spelling/definition test on Friday August 26

WRITING:

1.   Vivid Verb Homework. This homework is differentiated. Please be sure to check your number and complete the correct homework to the best of your ability. Everyone please remember to make sure that your subjects and verbs match. For example:                    I, you, we, they devour                he, she it devours

#’s 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11	#'s 1, 8, 9, 12	#6
Write 5 sentences that go together using 3-5 vivid verbs in the present tense.	Write 1 page double spaced using at least 5 vivid verbs in the present tense.	Write 3 sentences using 3 vivid verbs in the present tense.

1. Any students who have to fix their Main Idea homework from yesterday, please fix it tonight and hand it in tomorrow morning.

SCIENCE:

1. Unit 1 Test Lesson 1-5 Monday August 29. Please check the Study Guides tab on the blog.
2. Add to your floor plan model (5-10 minutes)

Important News:

Our class, like most, consists of students at a variety of different levels. Students who are talented at  reading and writing may struggle in Math or Science and vice versa. Everyone has their 
strengths and weaknesses. For this reason, and because I really believe in teaching for understanding, and allowing all students to succeed to the best of THEIR ability each day, I will be assigning  differentiated homework when I feel it is appropriate. Students will receive an assignment that I  believe is challenging for them but that they can be successful at. I did explain this to the class today but I would like to ask for your help in explaining this further to any students who may still feel confused. 

***The word of the day is DEVOUR!***

Tuesday August 23, 2016

Good afternoon,

This morning during Grammar class we learned about the complete and simple subjects and predicates of sentences. During Reading students did two transitions of Daily 2. In Science class we did a great interactive lesson about why scientists compare data. Students were presented with a hypothetical problem where they had a new, smaller locker at school and they had to figure out if their backpacks would fit inside. First, they used standardized units of measure to measure the length, width, and height of their backpack and then they compared that data with the measurements of the locker. Finally, they were able to conclude whether their backpacks would fit or not. Well done everyone! In Math, we learned how to compare numbers up to nine digits using place value. They caught on very quickly and were able to do the practice page in class. Keep up the good work grade 4! During Social Studies we arranged our chairs in a discussion circle and started our second lesson on the Impact of Big Business. Students are getting better at breaking down big ideas and were able to understand numerous new vocabulary words and concepts throughout the lesson. We will continue this tomorrow.

HOMEWORK:

LANGUAGE:

1. English Workbook page 12-13

1. Main Idea Set 1 # 4

Julia Butterfly Hill lived in a giant Redwood tree for two years to keep it from being cut down. She climbed the tree, which was located in Northern California, on December 10, 1997. Many people helped her by bringing her food and supplies. She did not come down until the logging company promised never to cut the tree down. 

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

*You answer should begin with, "The main idea of this paragraph is...."
*Please answer this question in your Work on Writing notebook. Don't forget to include the title and the date.

3. Study for spelling/definition test on Friday August 26. 

4.  Correct vocab sentences



SCIENCE:

1. Unit 1 Studying Science Test on Monday August 29. You can find the study guide here 

***Please return the IXL forms as soon as possible. If you have any questions you may reach me on Dojo. =)

***The word of the day is ADORABLE***

Unit 1 Studying Science Study Guide

Unit 1 Studying Science

Lessons 1-5

Lesson 1 What Do Scientists Do?

Vocabulary: Science, scientist, observation, hypothesis, scientific Process/Method, experiment, evidence, investigation

*explain that scientists make observations, ask questions, conduct investigations, and produce evidence that guides scientific thought and theory.

*recognize that scientific knowledge requires evidence.

Lesson 2 What Skills Do Scientists Do?

Vocabulary: infer, observe, communicate, compare, predict, conclusion, variable, classify, measure

*Describe the skills that scientists use and compare how we use those same skills in our everyday life

Lesson 3 How Do Scientists Collect and Use Data?

Vocabulary: research, microscope, magnifying glass, balance, spring scale, pan balance, tape measure, thermometer, data

*determine that scientists often conduct research as part of an investigation

*identify different tools that scientists use to study objects and properties

*communicate that data is based on measurement and observation, not inferences

*describe that measurements and recording methods need to be accurate because data are used as evidence for scientific explanation

Lesson 4 Why Do Scientists Compare Results?

*observation and investigation both use measurement as a tool

*standardized measures increase accuracy

*it is important to repeat measurements to make sure data is correct and accurate

Lesson 5 What Kinds of Models Do Scientists Use?

Vocabulary: model, two dimensional model, three dimensional model, computer model

*communicate that scientists use different types of models depending upon the subject they are studying.

Monday August 22, 2016

Good afternoon all,

This morning we reviewed the new vocabulary words students received on Friday. They did a great job! Afterwards we started reading the story My Brother Martin. During Math they wrote their first test and overall they did an excellent job! In Reading class we learned about conflicts in stories and specifically about the difference between internal and external conflicts. During Science I modeled how to pick out the main idea from the text. Next, students were split into groups of three and assigned a page from the text. They had to read it and together discuss the most important idea from the page. After they created clear notes they presented to the class.

Homework:

MATH:

1. Sign Math test

READING:

1. Study this week's vocabulary words. You will have a spelling and definition test on Friday August 26.
2. In your Word Work notebook make ten sentences with the vocabulary words. Your sentences should be creative, have NO boring words, and have at least six words per sentence. Please highlight the vocabulary word in the sentence.

SCIENCE:

1. Textbook page 38-39

**I sent home a letter about the online learning tool called IXL. Please take a look and return the bottom part by Friday August 26.

**The word of the day is MARTIN**

Friday August 19, 2016

Happy Friday everyone!

This morning we had our first spelling test. Students had to be very familiar with the words and their definitions as sometimes I said the word and other times I said the definition and they had to write the correct word. Any students who received 60 or below will have a retest on Monday. After the quiz, we learned ten new vocabulary words from the new story we will be reading called My Brother Martin. During Social Studies we continued talking about the effect of inventions on the world. Specifically we spent time learning about the Wright Brothers.

Homework:

MATH:

1. Chapter 1 Lesson 1-5 Test on Monday August 23
2. Chapter review test page 20 # 1-20 and page 21 Part A, B, and C.

READING:

1. Sign spelling test and do corrections. If you have a retest please review carefully.
2. My Brother Martin spelling test August 27

SOCIAL STUDIES:

1. Lesson 1 Big Idea Question:

Inventions shrink distances. What does this mean? Explain using at least 2 examples. (Page 388-395) 

TIPS: You should write a paragraph for your answer (about 5-6 sentences). Your answer should begin with, "I think that inventions shrink distances means that...." Double check your answer for spelling and grammar mistakes. You will be graded on this work so try your best. Please DOUBLE SPACE and WRITE NICELY. Don't forget to include the TITLE, and DATE.

***Just a reminder to everyone that tomorrow, Saturday August 20, is the annual open house. Beginning at 9:00 am you may come up to the third floor and join me in the classroom. There will be time to meet with specialty teachers as well and then we will all meet in the gym at 10:45 am for announcements, and refreshments. If you can't make it don't worry! We'll keep in touch all year. 

Thursday August 18, 2016

Hi everyone,

This morning in Language we focused on plot elements. During Math we used some real life examples to figure out exactly how big a million really is. During Science students had the chance to try out a pan balance, hand lens, as well as a microscope. They got look at an eyelash through the microscope and then eager for more objects to study I cut a piece of my hair (in the name of Science!) to look at. We all had a good time being little investigators.

Homework:

READING:

1. Using Journeys story, "Because of Winn Dixie" fill out the plot elements chart. You do not need to write in full sentences. You can use point form. 
2. Spelling test tomorrow

MATH:

1. Workbook pages 4-5

***Saturday morning we will be having an open house at school from 9:00 until 11:00 am. Parents are invite to come to our classroom and meet the teachers. There will also be time to meet and speak with specialty teachers and for a general school gathering in the gym. I addition, there will be a book fair in the gym! Hope to see you all there.***

***Please remember that tomorrow is P.E. so bring an extra shirt to change into!

***The words of the day are IMPERATIVE SENTENCES!***

Wednesday August 17, 2016

Hi everyone, 

Happy Wednesday! This morning in Language we had a writing class and spoke about words that are too boring to be used by such fierce fourth graders. Together we came up with a list. A few examples were: bad, good, nice, and fun. After completing the list we came up with more expressive, exciting words to replace the old. I wrote a boring paragraph on the board and the students helped me to revise it with their new and improved vocabulary. Afterwards I showed them several resources around the classroom they could use to spruce up their own writing (& speaking!). In Science we learned about the different tools scientists use. At the end of the morning I rewarded the students with a brain break so everyone stood up and followed a few minutes of guided dancing and singing, which they loved, and I loved watching! Enjoy the photos below. During Social Studies we discussed inventors and inventions of the late 1800's and their impact on people and the world. During last period, we focused on more boring verbs and created a fantastic list of vivid verbs to use instead.

Snapshots from our discussion in Social Studies about inventors and the impacts of their inventions on the world.

 Getting moving after lots of listening and writing this morning!

Homework:

LANGUAGE:

1. English Workbook page 5 part A and page 7 part A
2. Spelling test on Friday August 19

MATH:

1. Corrections
2. Thursday and Friday we will be learning the last lessons of Chapter 1. I will post the study guide in the tab at the top of the blog called, "Study Guides." The Chapter 1 test will be on Monday August 23.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

1. Inventions handout. You must fill in information (point form) about Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, Orville and Wilbur Wright, and Samuel Morse. The information can be found in the textbook on pages 388-393. We went through pages 388-391 together in class, so you must read pages 392-393 on your own. We will review them together on Friday.

***The word of the day is CAMEL!***

MATH Unit 1 Chapter 1 Place Value Study Guide

Unit 1 Chapter 1 Place Value

Lesson 1.1       I can use numbers in different ways (position, label, measure, count)

Lesson 1.2       I can read and write numbers through 999, 999
*know how to find the value of a digit
*know which place each digit is in
*know how to write numbers in four different ways
Vocabulary: expanded form, short word form, standard form, word form

Lesson 1.3       I can use logical reasoning to solve problems

Lesson 1.4       I can relate one million to hundreds and thousands 

Lesson 1.5       I can read and write numbers through 999,999,999

Tuesday August 16, 2016

Good afternoon all,

This morning we started with a grammar lesson on types of sentences. During Reading class we did our first installment of Daily 2 where each student chose on reading and one writing activity. In Science we talked about science skills and the scientific process. To get them moving and working together, I handed out some cards that had parts of the scientific process listed on them. Students had to communicate with one another and get in the right order to show all of the steps. In Math we clarified some points from last night's homework and learned how to solve word problems logically using charts. In Social Science we talked about the big idea of our first chapter and learned some new vocabulary words.

 They did a great job communicating and working together to get into the right order for the scientific process!

Read to Self & Read to Someone

Homework:

LANGUAGE (Grammar):

1. Types of Sentences worksheet. Underline the sentences using the colors we decided on in class. Don't forget to add the correct end mark to each sentence.
2. Spelling Test on Friday August 19

MATH:

1. Yesterday's corrections and Workbook page 3 (make sure to do this neatly on the graph paper provided. Don't forget to include the title, your name, number, and the date. Use a ruler for your chart. If it is too messy you will be asked to redo it.

***The word of the day is KANGAROO!***